According to Steve Gilbert of MLB.com, the Diamondbacks have real interest in signing catcher Miguel Montero to a multi-year contract extension and may try to get something done sooner than later.

“He’s certainly a guy that we have a lot of faith in for the future,”
managing partner Ken Kendrick said Wednesday. “So, yeah, I think there’s potential opportunity to sign
him for more than just a single year.”

Montero, 26, made a major splash in 2009 with a .294/.355/.478 batting line, 16 homers and 59 RBI in just 425 at-bats. He snatched Arizona’s starting catching gig from Chris Snyder and heads into the 2010 season squarely atop the depth chart. Montero avoided arbitration this winter by agreeing to a one-year, $2 million contract and that number will only go up if he matches or improves upon his ’09 numbers this season. It makes sense, then, to lock him into a contract that covers his remaining years of arbitration eligibility and perhaps a season or two of free agency.

As Craig pointed out last week, the Diamondbacks have also begun long-term discussions with third baseman Mark Reynolds and
outfielder Justin Upton.